Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope you are all well.  Firstly, can I thank you on behalf of all the staff for the support you have given your children during the current lockdown.  We fully appreciate how hard many of you will have found this and recognise that the Government gave very little notice to prepare you for this.  You have done a fantastic job.  I am sure many of you will be starting to think ahead to 8^th March and I just wanted to provide you with some further information.  As ever, this is subject to change in line with national and local guidance, but is correct as things currently stand.  Al plans and decisions have been made following the most recent information, and with your children at the forefront of our plans.  I appreciate that some of the measures may seem quite strict, but they do need to be implemented and followed.  A copy of the new risk assessment will shortly be available on our website for you to read, and you will be notified of this when it happens.

I, and all the staff, are aware that there will naturally be some apprehension about returning to school, particularly for those who have not been in during lockdown.  Please be reassured we are ready to support with this and do not hesitate to contact us if you feel you need to discuss anything further.

Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing

There is no requirement for Primary School children to be tested on return to school.  School staff will continue with their twice weekly lateral flow testing at home as previously communicated. If your child shows any of the symptoms of Covid-19 you should book a test and self-isolate as per Government guidelines.

Attendance and punctuality

From 8^th March, it will once again be compulsory for all children to be in school, on time, every day.  Please help us to support your children by ensuring this is the case.  If for any reason your child will not be in school, it is important to contact us as soon as possible to explain why.  In addition, no holidays or extended absences will be authorised in line with our policy, and fines may be issued for those absent from school for such reason.  In order to support your children with this, it would be beneficial for them to start getting into a routine that is similar to the one they follow when they return to school e.g. going to bed at a reasonable time and getting up at a sensible time in the morning.

Breakfast Club

We will be continuing to operate breakfast club on a very much reduced capacity.  We will only be able to offer breakfast club provision for a maximum of 15 children and these places will be offered to those who were previously taking up that offer.  If anyone else would like a place, please contact the school office to be added to the waiting list.  Once the guidance changes and we are able to open up breakfast club to more families, we will obviously let you know.

Use of childminders

Please see the following advice from the DfE:

This includes schools advising parents to limit the number of different wraparound providers they access, as far as possible.  Where parents use childcare providers or out of school activities for their children, schools should encourage them to seek assurance that the providers are carefully considering their own protective measures, and only use those providers that can demonstrate this. 

School day timings

To support in the minimising of numbers of people on the playground before and after school, we will be continuing to operate a slightly staggered start and finish time.  Chidlren in class A of each year group will start at 8.40am and finish at 2.55pm.  Children in class B or C of a year group will start at 8.50am and finish at 3.05pm. You will be reminded whether your child is in class A, B or C for their year group.  The teaching time for all children, irrespective of which class they are in, will be equal.  Again, please ensure that as far as possible you keep to these times and that your children are brought to school on time, and collected punctually.  Please can I ask that at the end of the day in particular, parents do not cluster round the school doors to enable the children to exit quickly, and that social distancing expectations are followed.  This is vital to protect the safety of the whole school community – children, parents and staff.

Masks

In line with Government guidance, children will not be able to wear masks in school, or during the school day.  Any child who comes to school wearing a mask will need to remove it before entering school and, if necessary, be supported in disposing it if it is a disposable mask, or storing it safely if it is a reusable one.  Ideally, parents will need to support this and take masks home.  Parents and carers, in line with Government guidance, are expected to wear face coverings on the playground and I need to ask you that you follow this guidance, unless exempt.  Even if you have already had Covid-19 or have been vaccinated, it is still expected that you wear a mask.  Older siblings who attend secondary school should also wear a face covering on the premises, if it is necessary for them to be there. To maintain safety, please, wherever possible, limit the number of people who come to school to drop off or collect.

Lunchtime arrangements

We will be continuing with the weekly rotation of grab bags and school dinners.  You will be sent further information about this separately.

Uniform

It is the expectation that full school uniform will once again be worn by all children.  May I ask that you fully support us in ensuring your child is wearing full uniform, including wearing black school shoes, and no jeans or jogging bottoms as far as possible.  Jewellery will also be limited to a single pair of stud earrings, and a wrist watch.  Can I also remind you that hairstyles should be appropriate for school, and that children should not have patterns shaved into their hair or eyebrows. Children will again need to come to school in their PE kit on the day of their lesson – please see PE timetable overleaf.

PE timetable

Resources/Equipment

Children will once again be able to bring school bags to school.  They will not, however, be allowed to bring pencil cases.  All children will be provided with their own pencil case and equipment to be used in school.

Travelling to and from school.

As requested by the Government, please can I ask that wherever possible, families walk to and from school each day, instead of using public or private transport.

Expectations in relation to illness

If your child is unable to attend school due to illness please telephone the office on 01706 647147 before 8.30am on the day of illness.  Once again the following guidelines apply with regard to symptoms of Covid-19:

We are very much looking forward to seeing you and your children again in March and returning to a more normal version of school than we have had over recent months. 

Thank you again for your support during this time, and for the work you have done at home with your children.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Alex Pridgeon

Headteacher